HOSPICE OF LIMESTONE COUNTY
Provider Information
- Address
- 405 SOUTH MARION STREET
ATHENS, AL 35611 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- February 9, 1989
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CMS Quality Ratings
Composite score combining quality measures and patient survey results.
Based on the CMS Hospice Care Index — 10 operational quality indicators including visits near death, nursing minutes, and care transitions.
CAHPS Hospice Survey — family caregivers rate communication, symptom management, respect, and overall experience.
CMS scores as of May 2026. Quality of Care derived from CMS Hospice Care Index. Patient Satisfaction from the CMS CAHPS Hospice Survey. Overall is the equally-weighted average of both. All source data published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Staffing & Capacity
| Role | Staff Count |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurses (RN) | 17 |
| Physicians | 2 |
| Volunteers | 3 |
31
Total Employees
Staffing data as reported to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Inpatient Care and Medical Equipment
Hospices report these services to Medicare when they are certified. This is what HOSPICE OF LIMESTONE COUNTY reported, not a check of what it offers today. Confirm current arrangements with the hospice.
- Short-term inpatient care
- Arranged through another hospital or nursing home
- Type of inpatient care
- Both general inpatient care and respite care
- Medical supplies and equipment
- Brought in through an outside supplier
Short stays in a hospice inpatient unit, hospital, or nursing home for pain or symptoms that cannot be managed where the patient lives, or to give family caregivers a break.
Equipment and supplies tied to the terminal illness and the plan of care, such as a hospital bed, oxygen, wound supplies, or a wheelchair.
Medicare lets hospices provide these services through arrangements with other organizations. Either way, the hospice stays responsible for the covered care in the patient’s plan of care.
Reported by this hospice to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services when it was certified in 2022.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how HOSPICE OF LIMESTONE COUNTY compares to hospices nationwide.
14 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 68th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
50
patients in care on an average day
A rough measure of size. Smaller can mean more personal. Larger can mean more resources.
How this hospice compares nationally
Bars show national standing on measures from the CMS Hospice Care Index. A fuller bar means this hospice does better than more of the hospices CMS tracks.
- Nurse care minutes per home care day14 min
Ranks better than about 68% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The average minutes of nursing care per day for patients getting routine care at home, based on Medicare claims. More nurse time usually means more hands-on support.
- Skilled nursing on weekends7.5%
Ranks better than about 45% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of skilled nursing time delivered on Saturdays and Sundays. Symptoms do not wait for weekdays, so weekend coverage matters.
- Nurse visits in the last days of life98.2%
Ranks better than about 87% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of patients who got nurse visits in their final days of life. This is when families tend to need the most support.
- Gaps in nursing visits24.9%
Ranks better than about 84% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
How often patients went more than a week without a nursing visit. Fewer gaps mean steadier attention.
- Patients discharged alive early in care10.6%
Ranks better than about 23% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of patients who left hospice alive within the first week of care. A rate of 0% means it did not happen to any of their patients.
- Patients discharged alive after 6 months21.3%
Ranks better than about 86% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of patients discharged alive after six months or more in hospice care.
- Hospital transfers near the end of care17%
Ranks better than about 12% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of patients who left hospice, spent time in the hospital, then came back to hospice.
- Hospital stays that interrupt hospice4.3%
Ranks better than about 14% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of patients who left hospice, went to the hospital, and died there soon after.
- Days at higher levels of care (CHC or GIP)52nd percentile
What this measures
The share of care days delivered at higher levels, such as continuous home care or inpatient care. Shown only as a national rank because small percentages round to zero.
- Medicare spending per patient$15,266 · 35th percentile
What this measures
What Medicare paid per patient for this hospice's care. Higher or lower spending is not a quality judgment by itself.
Care steps completed at admissionShow detailsMedicare tracked 9 required care steps for new patients here, completed for 89.8% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.4%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment99.2%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life89.8%
- All care steps completed98.9%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer27%
- Dementia24%
- Heart and circulatory disease25%
- Lung and respiratory disease6%
- Stroke6%
- Other conditions14%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Hospice of Limestone County
Hospice of Limestone County serves families in Athens, Alabama. They offer end-of-life care for those with a life-limiting illness. This provider is a freestanding hospice that has been certified by Medicare since February 1989. They focus on comfort, dignity, and support for patients and their loved ones. Families often look for this type of care when they want to keep a loved one at home. It is a local option for those living in Limestone County.
About Hospice of Limestone County
This provider operates as a for-profit organization. They have been part of the Medicare system for over three decades. This long history shows they have stayed current with federal rules for a very long time. Being Medicare certified means they meet strict standards for safety and care quality. Most families look for this status because it ensures the provider follows national rules. The team consists of 31 employees, including 17 registered nurses and two physicians. They also work with three volunteers to support their mission. That is a solid group of people dedicated to patient care. You can find them at 405 South Marion Street in Athens. They remain a steady presence in the local medical community for anyone needing hospice support.
Quality Performance
What Is Hospice Care Like in Athens?
Hospice care in Alabama focuses on comfort and symptom relief rather than curing an illness. The goal is to improve quality of life for the patient and their family. In Athens, this care often happens in the patient's own home. The team visits to manage pain and provide emotional support. Their staff includes registered nurses who monitor health changes and adjust care plans as needed. Physicians oversee the medical side of things to ensure comfort. Volunteers provide extra companionship for the patient. It really is a team effort. This approach helps families stay together in a place they know well. You can call them at (256) 232-5017 to learn more about how they serve the local area. They offer a specific set of skills to help manage difficult health challenges at home.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You should feel confident before you make a decision. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can arrive if a patient has an emergency at night. Find out who will be the main person you talk to when you have questions. Ask how they help with pain and other symptoms that might cause distress. Finally, check if they have experience with the specific condition your loved one has. These questions help you see if their care style fits your family. Do not be afraid to ask for clarity. You deserve clear answers during this time. A good provider will be happy to explain their process to you.
Preserve Family Stories
Your family history is a treasure that deserves to be saved for future generations. Capture your memories and stories today.
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Understanding Hospice Levels of Care: A Family Guide
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Some stories are worth writing down
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